Sept-23-11 Hughes announces $13.4 million grant for construction at county airport

CONTACT: Julie Willmot
(609) 278-7137

TRENTON, N.J. - Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes today announced that Trenton-Mercer Airport has received a $13.4-million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the installation of EMAS (Engineered Material Arresting System) beds at the ends of Runway 16-34. Work is due to commence in the spring of 2012.

EMAS beds consist of high-energy absorbing concrete blocks of selected strength, which will reliably and predictably crush under the weight of an aircraft that has overrun the runway. The aircraft is slowed by the loss of energy required to crush the blocks. The aircraft is stopped with hopefully no injuries to passengers and crew, or damage to the aircraft. According to the FAA, there have been seven incidents where EMAS safely stopped overrunning aircraft, with no injuries to the 230 passengers and crews involved, and little to no damage to the aircraft reported. Currently, there are 36 airports that are utilizing the EMAS system.

“This FAA grant makes possible the installation of EMAS beds on the shorter runway at our facility. These beds will greatly enhance the safety of flight crews, passengers, and the public, in the event of an aircraft overrun. We are grateful that the FAA recognizes the need for such a system at Trenton-Mercer Airport,” said County Executive Hughes.

Installation of EMAS beds on the primary Runway 6-24 is scheduled for the spring of 2013.